“Truly spectacular.”
Gazing at the scene before him, Purple Hammer couldn't help but feel a deep sense of admiration. After all, this was the handiwork of Lady Zeno, a guardian.
“It is, isn't it?”
“But the truly spectacular parts are underground. Although it hasn't been fully completed yet, the foundation of an underground royal city is already in place.”
“Though, as a purple-skinned blacksmith, you might not fully appreciate the splendor of a city built for spiders.”
“However, Spider King City is where a true king of spider monsters—a Spider King—can be born.”
The spider sisters standing beside Purple Hammer spoke with pride.
“A Spider King?”
Purple Hammer asked in confusion. He had never heard of a Spider King existing among the spider monsters of the subordinate floors.
The strongest species among the spider monsters were the Spatial Spider Queens and Spatial Spider Kings...
Did they mean a Spider Queen?
But currently, the Spider Queen was merely the queen of the man-bodied spider race. She was still part of the man-bodied spider species, and her combat power couldn't possibly compare to a Spatial Spider Queen.
“The Spider King—also known as the Spatial Spider King—is a special existence that only emerges when the number of spiders reaches a certain threshold.”
“It also requires a source of power and sufficient nutrients to be born.”
“A Spider King possesses unparalleled power, reigning supreme over all other spider monsters.”
“Building a sufficiently large Spider King City is the prerequisite for a Spider King's birth.”
“Once all conditions are met, the Spider King can be brought into existence through a coronation ceremony.”
Purple Hammer thought for a moment and understood the significance of building this city.
It was likely that the Lord, or perhaps that guardian lady, wanted to create a Spider King.
If it were the Lord, he likely wouldn't focus his gaze on this Exiled Land.
Therefore, it was highly probable that a certain guardian wanted to create one.
The most likely candidate among all the guardians was...
Lady Zeno, the guardian who had personally spent her power to create Spider King City.
He continued forward while asking more about the city.
Spider King City, which had been a distant speck on the horizon, grew larger and larger.
By the time he reached the oasis that rose from the desolate plains, Purple Hammer finally saw the city walls and gates formed from stone and protruding tree roots.
Man-bodied spider guards stood on either side of the gate.
Additionally, spatial magic spiders bustled about, using their silk to patch and reinforce the city walls.
Passing through the guards and entering the city, a rugged scene met his eyes. Everywhere he looked, there were piles of stones and wildly growing tree roots.
A large number of dwarf miners swung their pickaxes and tools, constructing various buildings according to the terrain.
“The Outer City is constantly being expanded. The home trees created by Lady Zeno can continuously push their roots outward, growing new home trees.”
“Let's head to the Inner City first. Lord Tongmu's fortress is located there.”
They passed through the bustling construction of the Outer City and reached the Inner City.
Unlike the Outer City, which resembled a massive construction site, the buildings in the Inner City were all complete.
Houses of various sizes, built from a combination of roots and stones, were arranged in an orderly fashion.
The majority of inhabitants in Spider King City were spider monsters. Occasionally, one could see purple-skinned blacksmiths or skeletal shamans who had migrated from the Well of Eternal Imprisonment.
They were all intelligent species from the Well.
As they navigated the streets and alleys past various houses, a towering spire drew closer.
Finally, the man-bodied spiders stopped and looked up. Standing before them was a fortress built of stone.
The gaps in the stone fortress were filled and secured by the growth of plant roots.
The main body of the fortress was a soaring spire, straight and tall, carved with sharp angles.
The main entrance consisted of two doors carved from wood, studded with rows of black iron rivets.
Before they could even approach the doors, they were blocked by man-bodied spiders wearing high-quality armor. They held sharp spears, crossing them in front of the group.
Looking at the spears, Purple Hammer could sense the mana within them.
It was the forging style of the purple-skinned blacksmith tribe.
“This is the residence of the guardian, Lord Tongmu. No unauthorized personnel may approach.”
The man-bodied spider guard spoke coldly.
“Unauthorized? We are hardly that.”
“This is Purple Hammer of the purple-skinned blacksmith tribe. He was personally granted a true name by the Lord and carries the blessings of Lady Zeno and Lady Feiwan. He has come for an audience with Lord Tongmu.”
The two man-bodied spider guards hadn't expected this purple-skinned blacksmith to have such a significant background.
“Lord Purple Hammer, Lord Tongmu has already left this land.”
“While this is indeed Lord Tongmu's residence, ordinary people cannot enter once the Lord has departed,” the guard on the left explained.
“Correct. this entire fortress can be considered a clone of Lord Tongmu.”
“Without Lord Tongmu's permission, no one can enter. We can't even send servants inside for daily cleaning,” the guard on the right added.
The entire fortress was an incarnation of Lord Tongmu...
“Let me try first.”
His goal was right in front of him; there was no way Purple Hammer would give up now.
Only by obtaining Lord Tongmu's blessing could he compensate for his lack of combat experience as a blacksmith. Only then would he have a chance to seize the Forbidden Fire from those battle-hardened human adventurers.
The two man-bodied spider guards looked at each other and finally uncrossed their spears to let him through.
After all, they couldn't afford to offend this blacksmith.
Moreover, even if they didn't stop him, he wouldn't be able to enter without Lord Tongmu's approval.
Walking up to the massive wooden doors, Purple Hammer took a deep breath to steady his heart.
For the native monsters of the Well of Eternal Imprisonment, a guardian's presence was sublime.
It was a presence close to that of the Lord, inspiring a reverence that came from the depths of the soul.
Purple Hammer raised both his right arms, pressed them against his chest, and knelt on one knee before the wooden doors, like a knight who had traveled far to seek an audience with a princess.
“I am Purple Hammer of the purple-skinned blacksmith tribe.”
“I seek the Forbidden Fire. I hope to obtain from it the technology and power that will allow my tribe to follow the Lord.”
“I have come to seek an audience with Lord Tongmu, only to ask for your permission—permission to pursue the Forbidden Fire.”
After speaking, Purple Hammer lowered his head deeply, waiting for Tongmu's response.
After a long time, just as sweat began to bead on Purple Hammer's forehead and he feared he had displeased Lord Tongmu, there was finally a sound.
Creak.
The doors, which had been tightly shut since Tongmu left this land, swung open.
From the darkness behind the doors, a crushing pressure of mana emanated, making it hard to breathe.
The man-bodied spiders couldn't withstand it; their eight legs involuntarily scrambled backward.
No sound came from behind the dark doors.
The fortress before him seemed to have transformed into a giant beast with its maw open, exuding an aura of extreme danger.
Suppressing his inner fear, Purple Hammer struggled to his feet and walked into the open fortress.
As he stepped through the threshold, the doors slammed shut behind him. He was plunged into total darkness, feeling as though he had entered another world entirely.
In the surrounding gloom, countless invisible gazes fell upon him. Even wearing his Seeker's Armor, Purple Hammer felt his skin prickle under the weight of those myriad unseen eyes.
Rate on N.U.
